R.I. health-insurance market the 10th least competitive in U.S.

THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION has named Rhode Island among the 10 least competitive health-insurance markets in the country and one of 15 states nationwide in which a single health insurer holds a commercial market share of 50 percent or more.

Rhode Island ranked at No. 8 on the 2012 list and did not appear on the 2011 list.

The Ocean State joins Alabama, Hawaii, Michigan, Delaware, Alaska, South Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska and Louisiana as the 10 U.S. states with the least competitive health-insurance markets. These 10 states are among 15 states in which a single health insurer holds a commercial market share of 50 percent or more.

In 45 states, two private health insurers together hold a combined market share of 50 percent or more.

“In far too many states, one or two insurance companies dominate the market, which can hurt patients, physicians and employers,” said Dr. Ardis Dee Hoven, president of the American Medical Association. “Without rivals to compete against, a large health insurance company can take advantage of patients by raising premiums and dictating important aspects of patient care.”

The study, titled “Competition in Health Insurance: A Comprehensive Study of U.S. Markets,” examined both fully-insured and self-insured plans in 386 metropolitan areas representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia, the American Medical Association said.

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